Ontario Improving Fire Safety in Retirement Homes

Archived
News Release

Ontario Improving Fire Safety in Retirement Homes

Province Ensuring Seniors are Safe in Small and Rural Homes

Ontario is helping retirement homes with the cost of installing automatic sprinkler systems, to enhance seniors' safety and ensure that new Ontario Fire Code requirements are met.

Dipika Damerla, Minister of Seniors Affairs, was at a fire station in downtown Toronto today to mark Fire Prevention Week and to announce the new support.

The province is now accepting applications for the new cost-sharing program, which will help small and rural retirement homes retrofit more than 6,000 suites across Ontario. Automatic sprinklers are vital to the safety and security of all retirement home residents, staff and first responders.

Helping seniors live healthy and active lives and ensuring they have safe and secure accommodation is part of our plan to create jobs, grow our economy and help people in their everyday lives.

Quick Facts

Beginning January 1, 2019, all retirement homes must be equipped with automatic fire sprinkler systems to meet new Ontario Fire Code requirements.

Additional Resources

Quotes

“The province is committed to ensuring the safety and security of seniors in retirement homes. We also understand that small and rural homes may need help installing vital sprinkler systems. Our cost-share funding program is a fair way to help homes meet fire code requirements and help seniors and their families feel safe and secure.”

Dipika Damerla

Minister of Seniors Affairs

“Automatic sprinklers save lives. They keep residents, workers and first responders safer in this province. I commend Ontario’s decision to help eligible homes take this important step.”